Interlocking lock mechanism for communicating doors



July 9, 1957 INTERLOCKING LOCK MECHANISM FOR COMMUNICATING DOORS FiledMarch 9, 1955 SOLENOID SWITCH c. A. ELLlS 5 Sheeh-Sheet 1 V //AV/SOLENOID SWITCH SWITCH INVENTOR {M a/ m ATTORNEYS y 1957 c. A. ELLIS2,798,372

INTERLOCKING LOCK MECHANISM FOR COMMUNICATING DQORS Filed March 9, 19555 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTO'R BY Y wav I ATTORNEYS G 9 V/QH MWMMIII/II MH 33 w I c. A. ELLIS 2,798,372

INTERLOCKING LOCK MECHANISM FOR COMMUNICATING DOORS July 9, 1957 5Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 9, 1955 I INVENTE'OR BY? I;

ATTORNEYS July 9, 1957 c, ELLls 2,798,372

I INTERLOCKING LOCK MECHANISM FOR COMMUNICATING DOORS Filed March 9,1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR K L/MAX/Q. 4 BY- KM ATTORNEYS C. A. ELLISJuly 9, 1957 INTERLOCKING LOCK MECHANISM FOR COMMUNICATING DOORS 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 9, 1955 INVENiOR ATTORNEYS INTERLOCKING LOCKMECHANISM FOR COMMUNICATING DOORS Charles A. Ellis, Hamden, Conn.,assignor to Sargent &

Company, New Haven, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut ApplicationMarch 9, 1955, Serial No. 493,088

8 Claims. (Cl. 70264) This invention relates to coupled electricallyoperated lock mechanisms. Although the invention will be described ashaving particular application and usefulness in controlling entry andegress to a common bath from adjacently located hotel rooms, it is notlimited to such application.

More particularly, the invention has as a primary object companioninterconnected lockset devices which function to automatically controlthe operation of the respective mechanisms. For example, each locksetunit is supplied with means associated with a deadbolt mechanism toautomatically secure the opposite door upon actuation of the deadbolt tolock the occupants door to his bathroom.

A further and important object of the invention is the provision ofcompanion lockset devices which function automatically to precludeinconsiderate appropriation of the bathroom by an occupant of theadjoining rooms. These means include an arrangement whereby operation ofthe deadbolt to the door of the adjoining room automatically secures thedoor to the room of the occupant so that egress is impossible until thelatch or deadbolt to the companion door is released.

Another object is the provision of a fully automatic electricallyactuated companion lockset arrangement which is simple and inexpensivein its installation and operation. Other objects of the invention willbecome apparent on consideration of the following detailed descriptionin conjunction with accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the partitions and entrance doors to acommon room such as a bathroom from adjoining suites;

Fig. 2 diagrammatically shows the wiring arrangement forming a part ofthe control mechanism for the companion locksets;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail on the line 33 of Fig. 1 through the doorand adjacent partition arrangement of the jamb and lockset assemblies;

Fig. 4 shows the chassis for the jamb and lockset assemblies shown inFig. 3 but with the parts in actuated position;

Fig. 5 is an elevation showing the mechanism at the rear of the jambassembly;

Fig. 6 shows the front face of the jamb assembly; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail through the jamb and lockset assembliestaken. on the line 77 of Fig. 3.

In its general aspects, the invention comprises a pair of door jamb andlockset mechanisms, each including a manual deadlock and anautomatically motivated deadlock, electrically energized actuators forthe motivated deadlocks and circuit-closing means associated with eachsaid mechanism adapted on operation of the manual deadlock of onemechanism to close the circuit to the electrically energized actuator onthe other mechanism, andmove the motivated deadlock into door-securingposition.

States Patent l atented July 9, 1957 Referring in detail to thedrawings, it will be seen that Fig. 1 illustrates the use of thecompanion door jamb and lockset mechanisms, designated in general as Xand Y, on communicating doors 10 and 11 to a commonly used bathroom, forexample. The lockset units include door jamb and lockset components 13and 14 respectively. The lockset component (Figs. 3 and 4) includes afront plate 15, latch bolt 16, manually operable deadbolts l7 and 18, aninterlocking lever 19, which permits only one deadbolt to operate at atime, and a strike opening 20 for reception of the automaticallymotivated deadbolt mounted in the door jamb in a manner to be presentlydescribed.

The deadbolts 17 and 18 are operated by turn button 17 and 18 whichactuate the cam-shaped roll backs 17 and 18 connected by links 17 and 18respectively to the deadbolts. The usual door knobs 19 and 2% areprovided as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings to actuate the latch bolt16.

The operation and details of the interlocking lockset arrangement whichpermits actuation of only one of the deadbolts 17 or 18 at a time, whilemaintaining the other deadbolt in retracted position, forms no part ofthe present invention, and is described and claimed in a relatedcopending application.

The jamb assembly 13 includes a front plate 21 which functions as achassis for the automatic electrically energized deadbolt and theassociated levers and mechanisms. An opening 22 is provided in the frontplate 21 for the reception of the latch bolt 16 and the deadbolts 17 and18 in a manner more particularly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Afurther barrel-like opening 23 is formed in the front plate 21 for thereception and support of the electrically motivated deadbolt 24. Thedeadbolt 24 is, in the illustrated embodiment, actuated by a solenoid 25provided with an armature 26, the solenoid being supported upon a plate27 which is adapted to the front plate 21 of the door jamb. The armature26 of the solenoid is connected with the motivated deadlock 24 through acoupling tube 27, toggle links 23 and 29 and a separate link 30 pivotedto the chassis at 31. The coupling tube 27 is loosely coupled to thesolenoid armature 26 by a pin 32 which permits pivoting movement betweenthe elements thereby avoiding the necessity for precise alignment.

When the solenoid 25 is de-energized, the coupling tube falls to itslower position by gravity and the automatic deadbolt 24 is retracted, asshown in Fig. 3. A coil spring 33 is disposed between the lower portionof the coupling tube 27 and a pin 34 which moves in slots 35 formed inthe sides of the coupling tube 27. This coil spring 33 breaks togglelinks 28 and 29 on de-energization of the solenoid 25. The toggle link28 is fixedly pivoted to the chassis 13 at 36; the toggle link 29 ispivoted to the lever 36 at 37, and both toggle links 28 and 29 arepivoted to the pin 34 which moves in slot 35 in opposition to thecoil-spring 33 on energization of the solenoid 25. When the solenoid 25is energized, the armature 26 draws the coupling tube 27 upwardly alongwith the toggle links 2-8 and 29, thereby moving lever 30 to the rightand throwing the motivated deadbolt 24 into the recess 2%), asillustrated best in Fig. 4. The upper portion of the lever 3% isprovided with a slot 38 which engages a pin 39 secured to the motivateddeadbolt 24 to actuate the same in either direction. As shown in Fig. 5,the toggle links and lever'30 are duplicated at each side of the tube27.

Also mounted in the jamb assembly are two electrical switches 40 and 41and a terminal block 42. The switch 41 is normally open and has acontact 43 adapted to be closed by the operation of the lower deadbolt18, as shown in Fig. 3. Projection of the deadbolt 18, as shown in Fig.3, causes it to contact a lever 44 pivoted in the door jamb assembly at45 and urged outwardly by coil spring 46. A second lever 47 also pivotedat 45 is yieldingly urged into coupling engagement with the lever 44 bya coil spring 46 and is formed. with an arm 48. disposed directly overthe switch closing button 43, as shown particularly in Fig. 5.

The yielding relationbetween the levers 44f and 47 provides for theover-travel of the lever 44. as the arm 48 engages the switch button 43closing the circuit to thereby avoid injury to the switch.

The second switch 40 shown in Fig. Sis controlled by operation of a doorjamb lever 49 (Fig. 7) pivoted to the frame at 50,- and normally urgedoutwardly in the door jamb by means of a leaf spring 51 to engage anddepress the button 52 and open the normally closed switch 40. When thedoor jamb lever 49 is depressed by move? ment of the door into closedposition, as shown inFig. 7, the switch button 52- is released and thecircuit through the switch 40 is closed.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be.-observed that this figure showsdiagrammatically the circuits which. control. the automaticallymotivated deadlocks in the respective door jamb and lockset mechanisms.It will be understood'that the door unit X contains solenoid AX, doorswitch Bx and deadbolt switch CX. On the other hand, the companion doorunit Y contains solenoid A door switch B and deadbolt switch. C SolenoidAx is connected in series with door switch Bx and deadbolt: switch Cwhile solenoid A is in turnconnectedin series with door switch B anddeadbolt switch Cy. It will be appreciated, therefore, that solenoids AXand A do notfunction until the circuits thereto are closedby closure ofthe door switch in the same unit and the deadbolt switch in thecompanion unit.

In operation andwith the units, hereinbefore described, mounted in doorsto a semi-private bathroom in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1, it willbe observed that if the occupant from suite X desires touse thebath hemerely enters through door X,.closes both doors X and Y and moves themanual deadlock in door X into closed position. This operation securesdoorX and,.at the same time, throws the automatically operable deadboltin door Y into closed, position, thereby ensuring privacy from theopposite suite. Whenleaving the room,. he merely reverses the position.of theturn button controlling. the manual deadbolt in door X whichautomatically retracts the automatic deadbolt in dooryY leaving thebathroom available to the opposite premises.

Among other advantages, the. arrangement: described hereinprecludesunreasonable appropriation of the bathroom by an occupant ofthe adjoining room since actuation of the inside manual deadbolt. ondoor'Y will, at the same time, close the circuit to the automaticdeadboltin door X, thereby locking the. occupant'inthe bathroom untilthe inside deadbolt to door Y is released. Such occupant cannot leavethe room without. leaving door Y unlocked. Moreover, it will beobservedthat with the provision of means which preclude the operation ofboth of the manual deadbolts of the same door, it' would be. impossibleto operate the inside deadbolt of: that door while the door is securelylocked by'the manualdeadbolt on the opposite side of the same door.

It will be appreciated that these and other advantages are availablethrough the arrangement describedherein. and forming the subject matterof the presentinvention, the scope of which is defined in theaccompanying claims.

What I claim is:

1. Locking means for a plurality ofdoors comprising a. mechanism on eachof said doors andanother mechanism on each of the associated jambs, oneof said mechanisms comprising a casing and a manually operablelockingbolt reciprocably mounted therein, means for actuating'said.

bolt to locking position, the other ofsaid-mechanisms; comp ising acasing having a lockingbolt; therein, an.

electrically m ivated means .for actuating said lastanamed bolt,. a.normally closed circuit to supply current to said last-named means, andmeans for maintaining said circuit open in the mechanism associated withone door until such door is closed, and means for closing said circuitwhen the manually operable bolt of the other door is moved to lockingposition.

2. Locking. means. for a plurality of doors comprising a mechanismonzeach of said. doors and another mechanism on each of the associatedjambs, one of said mechanisms comprising a casing and a manuallyoperable locking bolt reciprocably mounted therein, means for actuatingsaid bolt to locking position, the other of said mechanisms comprising acasing havinga locking bolt therein, an electrically motivated means foractuating said last-named bolt, a normally opencircuit to. supplycurrent to said last-named means, means for closing said circuit in themechanism associated with one door when the manually operable. bolt oftheother door. is moved to lockingposition, but only after said onedoor-has beenzclosed.

3. Lockingmeansfor a plurality ofdoorscomprisinga mechanism on eachofsaid doorsv and another mechanism on each of theassociatedi jambs, oneofsaid mechanisms comprising a casing and a manually operable locking boltreciprocably mounted therein, means for actuating said boltto locking;position, the other of said mechanisms comprisinga casing havingalockingbolt therein, an electrically'motivatedmeans for actuating saidlast-named bolt, a circuit havinga pair of switches in series tosupplycurrent to said last-named means',,means to close one. of said switches.in the mechanism associated with one door when such door is closed, andmeans for closing said other switch when-the manually operated belt ofthe other door has, beenmoved to. locking position.

4. Locking'means for: a'plurality of doors comprising a mechanism oneach of said doorsand another mechanism oneach of the associated jambs,the door mechanism comprising a casing; and a.- manually operable boltreciprocably mounted therein, manually operated means atone side of saiddoor for protracting said bolt, said jamb mechanism comprising areciprocable lockbolt and electrically motivated means for actuatingsaid last-named bolt to locking position, a pair ofnormally openswitches insaid jamb mechanism, the first of which is closed'by theclosing of the door and the other bythe protraction ofsaid manuallyoperated bolt, and an electrical circuit to. energize said motivatedmeans, said. circuit-includinglin series the first switch of theassociated jamb mechanism and the other switch;of.-the;j ambj mechanismofthe other door.

5. Lockingmeans for a pluralityof doors comprising av mechanism on eachof said doors and another mechanism on. each. of the; associated jambs,the door mechanism comprising a casing and a manually operable boltreciprocably mounted therein, one side of said door for protracting saidbolt, said jamb mechanism comprisinga reciprocable lock bolt andelectrically motivated means. for actuating said last-named bolt tolocking position including a'normally open circuit, means actuated bythe closingpf one door for conditioning, for closing, the circuit of themotivated means of said.

door, and meansactuatedby the protraction of the manually operated boltof the other door for closingsaid circuit.

6. A locking mechanismas in claim 4 wherein a second manually operablelocking bolt is provided in each ofthe door mechanisms, and means isprovided at the other side of said door for protracting said additionalbolt, and wherein is provided'means for preventing operation of one ofsaid boltswhenth'e otheris'movedtoprotracted position.

7. A- locking mechanism for a-pair of doors leading from-the same mom,said locking mechanism comprising a lock structure on each door having amanually operated reciprocable lockingbolt, anassociated lockingmechanism on each-of'thedoorjambs-having an electrically motivatedreciprocable locking bolt, means for actuating manually operated meansat said last-named bolt comprising an electrical circuit'having twoswitches in series, one of said switches being mounted in the jamb ofthe associated door and being closed by the protraction of the manuallyoperated bolt of that door, and the other of said switches being mountedin the jamb of the other door and being closed by the closing of saidother door.

8. Locking means for a pair of doors, said means comprising a lockingmechanism associated with each of said doors, each mechanism comprisinga pair of dead-locking bolts, the first of which is manually operatedand the second of which is electrically operated, a solenoid forprotracting the second of said bolts to operative position, and means tosupply current to said solenoid including an electrical circuit having apair of switches therein, one of said switches being mounted in thelocking mechanism of the door with which said bolt is associated andclosed by the closing of said door, and the other of said switches beingmounted in the other door and closed by the protraction of the firstbolt of the locking mechanism of that door.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,405,369 Watson Jan. 31, 1922 1,819,410 Finkenbinder Aug. 18, 19311,840,819 Pierce Jan. 12, 1932 2,339,170 Jacobs Jan. 11, 1944

